Apparatus for preventing offshore oil well pollution

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for preventing offshore oil well pollution resulting from offshore oil well blowouts or pipe line ruptures. The apparatus includes a sloping cylindrical member having a conical bottom wall open at its upper end. The device is centered over the leak so that the oil passes up into the device through the open top of the conical bottom wall. In the case of a low pressure leak the oil flows down the upper face of the conical wall and is collected in a sump within the apparatus from which it can be pumped. In the case of high pressure blowouts valve plates are provided which can be hydraulically closed to contain the oil spout which then flows into a sump in the apparatus surrounding the conical bottom wall. This sump also may be emptied by pumping. In both instances fire extinguishing gases may be pumped into the device in case ignition of the gas and oil should occur.

United States Patent [151 3,674,150 Lejeune 1 July 4, 1972 [54]APPARATUS FOR PREVENTING OFFSHORE OIL WELL POLLUTION [72] Inventor:Lloyd M. Lejeune, PO. Box 243, Belle Chasse, La. 70114 221 Filed: Sept.25, 1970 21 Appl. No.: 75,322

[52] U.S.Cl. ....2l0/245,210/DIG.21

[51] Int. Cl ..B0ld 23/00 [58] Field ofSearch ..210/83,242,523,D1G.21,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,548,605 12/1970 Paulleta1. ..61/1 3,500,841 3/1970 Logan ..210/DIG. 21 3,339,512 9/1967 Siegel..210/DIG. 21 3,572,506 3/1971 Bandy, Jr. et al ..210/242 3,389,5596/1968 Logan ..2l0/D1G. 21

Primary ExaminerReuben Friedman Assistant Examiner-T. A. GrangerAttorney-Herman, Davidson and Herman [5 7] ABSTRACT An apparatus forpreventing offshore oil well pollution resulting from offshore oil wellblowouts or pipe line ruptures. The apparatus includes a slopingcylindrical member having a conical bottom wall open at its upper end.The device is centered over the leak so that the oil passes up into thedevice through the open top of the conical bottom wall. ln the case of alow pressure leak the oil flows down the upper face of the conical walland is collected in a sump within the apparatus from which it can bepumped. In the case of high pressure blowouts valve plates are providedwhich can be hydraulically closed to contain the oil spout which thenflows into a sump in the apparatus surrounding the conical bottom wall.This sump also may be emptied by pumping. In both instances fireextinguishing gases may be pumped into the device in case ignition ofthe gas and oil should occur.

9 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures APPARATUS FOR PREVENTING OFFSHORE OIL WELLPOLLUTION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION FIELD OF THE INVENTION The presentinvention relates to the prevention of oil pollution resulting fromburned out oil wells of the offshore variety and submarine oil lineruptures which release oil into the water.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to anapparatus for retaining the oil spout from an oflshore oil well blowoutso as to prevent pollution of the water. The device includes a conicalbottom wall having an opening at the top thereof through which the oilspout flows. A valve is provided for closing over the oil spout. It isretained in the apparatus and the oil is collected in a sump from whichit can be pumped to shore or to tanks located on barges. The apparatushas means for permitting the escape of high pressure gases whilepreventing the escape of oil. Extinguishing gases such as CO andnitrogen can be pumped into the device to extinguish fires should thisbe necessary.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a device which willretain the oil pollution resulting from a burned out oil well orsubmarine pipe rupture until repairs can be efi'ected to prevent theloss of oil.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the followingspecification when considered in the light of the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a top plan view of theinvention;

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 22 of FIG. 1looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken alongthe line 33 of FIG. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows with partsbroken away for convenience of illustration;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of a detail of theinvention; and

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view through a modified form of theinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to thedrawings in detail wherein like reference characters indicate like partsthroughout the several figures, the reference numeral indicatesgenerally an oil pollution retainer constructed in accordance with theinvention.

The retainer 10 includes an upright cylindrical wall 11 having an openbottom 12 and an open top 13.

A conical wall 14 is secured to the cylindrical wall 11circumferentially at 15 spaced above the open bottom 12. The conicalwall 14 has a circular opening 16 at the upper end thereof positionedcentrally of the cylindrical wall 11. A generally rectangular channelguide 17 is secured to the conical wall 14 around the circular opening16 and has a portion 18 thereof extending horizontally beyond theopening 16.

A conical choke 19 having a circular opening 20 formed therein isslidably mounted in the guide 17 and can be moved from the portion 18 ofthe guide 17, as seen in FIG. 2 to the position illustrated in FIG. 4overlying the circular opening 16 so as to reduce the size of thecircular opening 16 to that of the circular opening 20.

A hydraulic ram 21 is secured to the wall 14 and a hydraulic line 22extends therefrom to a remote control point. The hydraulic ram 21 isconnected to the choke 19 and is adapted to move the choke 19 in theguide 17, as described above.

A flexible conduit 23 extends through the cylindrical wall 1 1 into thespace between the cylindrical wall 11 and the conical wall 14 to pumpfluids collecting therein to a point of storage.

A conical bafile wall 24 is secured annularly at 25 to the cylindricalwall 1 1 at a point spaced above the securement 15 of the conical wall14. A plurality of ports 26 are formed in the lower end of the conicalwall 24 adjacent the cylindrical wall 11 to permit oil and other fluidstrapped above the conical wall 24 to flow down to the space into whichthe conduit 23 extends. The conical wall 24 has a circular opening 27formed therein at the upper edge thereof. The opening 27 issubstantially larger than the opening 16 and is surrounded by agenerally rectangular guide 28 similar in construction to the guide 17.A portion 29 of the guide 28 extends horizontally outwardly from thecircular opening 27 and a valve plate 30 is mounted in the guide 28 forhorizontal reciprocation therein. A hydraulic ram 31 is mounted on theconical wall 24 and has a hydraulic line 32 extending to a remote pointfor control. The hydraulic ram 31 is connected to the valve plate 30 toreciprocate the valve plate 30 and the guide 28 as desired.

A conical wall 33 is secured annularly at 34 to the cylindrical wall 11at a point spaced well above the securement 25 of the conical wall 24. Aplurality of ports 35 are formed in the conical wall 33 adjacent thecylindrical wall 11 to permit fluids trapped thereabove to flowdownwardly for eventual removal through the conduit 23.

A plurality of gas vent holes 36 are formed in the conical wall 33 andeach has an angle baffle 37 arranged in underlying relation thereto.

A circular opening 38 is formed in the upper part of the conical wall 33with the opening 38 being substantially larger than the opening 27.

A conical wall 39 is positioned in the apparatus 10 and is securedannularly at 40 to the cylindrical wall 11. A plurality of ports 41 areformed in the lower edge of the conical wall 39 adjacent the cylindricalwall 1 1 to permit the escape of oil and other fluids trapped thereabovefor eventual removal by the conduit 23. The conical wall 39 is somewhatflatter in slope than the conical wall 33 and joins the conical wall 33at the circular opening 38 which also extends through the conical wall39. A generally rectangular guide 42 is secured to the conical wall 39and the conical wall 43 generally surrounding the circular opening 38.The guide 42 has a portion 43 thereof which extends horizontallysubstantially beyond the circular opening 38. A valve plate 44 ismounted for horizontal reciprocation in the guide 42 and is connected toa hydraulic ram 45 which slides the valve plate 44 as desired. Ahydraulic line 46 extends from the hydraulic ram 45 to a remote pointfor control.

A plurality of gas ports 47 are formed in the conical wall 39 and has anangular baffle 48 underlying each to prevent the flow of oiltherethrough.

A conduit 49 extends from a source of high extinguishing gases such asCO or nitrogen and is coupled with the cylindrical wall 11 to extinguishfires Within the apparatus 10 should this be necessary.

Eyes 50 are secured to the cylindrical wall 11 at spaced points forattaching cables when lowering the apparatus 10 in position forretaining oil pollution.

The valve plate 30 is formed of open work mesh and assists in thebreaking up of the force of the oil spout when in position overlying thecircular opening 27.

The apparatus 10 is mounted on the flow end of a barge or is carried ona crane with a long boom and is lowered directly over a blowout with thecircular openings 16, 27 and 38 completely open. The valve plate 44,screen mesh valve plate 30 and choke 20 are then successively closed toretain the spout within the cylindrical wall 11. The oil and water thenbounces off of the undersides of the conical walls 24, 33 and 39 andflows downwardly between the cylindrical wall 11 and the conical wall 14from where it is pumped through a conduit 23. Gas entrained with the oiland water escapes through the ports 36 and the ports 47 to theatmosphere. In the event that the oil spout is on fire, then CU ornitrogen gas is pumped through the conduit 49 to extinguish the fire.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a modified form of the invention is illustratedwherein an oil pollution retainer apparatus is generally indicated at70.

The apparatus 70 includes a cylindrical wall 71jhaving a conical wall 72secured to the lower edge thereof at 73 ex tending upwardly therein. Theconical wall 72 has a circular opening 74 at its upper end kept inspaced apart relation thereto with an inverted conical cap 75.

A closed dome 76 is secured to the cylindrical wall 71 annularly at 77and extends upwardly therefrom. Observation windows 78 are mounted inthe dome 76 so that the interior of the apparatus 70 is visible. Aplurality of gas vent holes 79 are formed in the dome 76 with eachhaving an angle baffle 80 associated therewith. The angle baffles 80 aresecured to the inner side of the dome 76.

A conduit 81 extends through the dome 80 and leads to a source of fireextinguishing gas such as CO or nitrogen.

Lifting eyes 82 are secured to the dome 76 adjacent the top thereof anda lifting yoke 83 connects the eyes 82 to a cable 84 extending from acrane or hoist.

The apparatus 70 is used in conjunction with a submarine oil pipe line85 which has ruptured at 86 to release oil 87 which goes upwardlytherefrom. The conical wall 72 and the cylindrical wall 71 form a sump88 therebetween to collect the oil 87. Conduits 89 extend from the sump88 to a point of storage for the oil 87.

In the use and operation of the apparatus 70, it is lifted by a crane orhoist and lowered over the rupture 86 in a pipe line 85 until the oilflowing upwardly therefrom strikes the cap 75 and is deflected throughthe circular opening 74 where it flows down the inside of the conicalwall 72 and is collected in the sump 88. The oil 87 may then be pumpedfrom the sump 88 through the conduits 89 to a point of storage. In theevent that the oil 87 becomes ignited within the apparatus 70 fireextinguishing gases such as CO and nitrogen are pumped through theconduit 81 to extinguish the flames.

The specific linkages connecting the hydraulic rams 21, 31, and 45,respectively, to the choke 19, valve 30 and valve 44 are conventionaland have been indicated by broken lines.

Having thus described the preferred embodiments of the invention, itshould be understood that numerous structural modifications andadaptations may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of theinvention.

What is claimed is:

1. An oil pollution retaining apparatus comprising an uprightcylindrical wall, an open top conical wall having its lower edgeintegrally secured to the lower edge of said cylindrical wall with theupper edge of said conical wall terminating substantially above theupper edge of said cylindrical wall, said cylindrical wall and saidconical wall forming a sump for oil therebetween, wall means overlyingsaid conical wall vertically spaced thereabove and integrally secured tosaid cylindrical wall for preventing the escape of oil from saidapparatus and means forming part of said last-named wall means forpermitting the escape of gas from said apparatus.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wall means forretaining oil within said apparatus includes an upper conical wallhaving its lower edge secured to said cylindrical wall and having anopen top, a valve plate, means mounting said valve plate on said upperconical wall for horizontal sliding movement to a position closing theopen top of said upper conical wall.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein a hydraulic ram mountedon said upper conical wall is provided for sliding the valve plate fromopen position to closed position.

4. A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein bafile means are providedwithin said apparatus between said lower conical wall and said upperconical wall for dissipating the force of an oil spout.

5. The device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the baffle means fordissipating the force of an oil spout comprises an intermediate conicalwall having an open top and a screen valve plate slidably mountedthereon to move to a position overlying said open top.

6. The device as claimed in claim 5, including a hydraulic ram formoving said screen valve plate into a position overlying the opening insaid conical wall.

7. An apparatus as claimed 'in claim 1, wherein the means for preventingthe escape of oil from said apparatus includes a dome-shaped top wallhaving its lower edge integrally secured to the top of said cylindricalwall.

8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein observation windows aremounted in said dome-shaped top wall for observing the interior of saidapparatus.

9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein means are provided onsaid dome-shaped top wall for lifting said apparatus and supporting saidapparatus in operative position.

1. An oil pollution retaining apparatus comprising an uprightcylindrical wall, an open top conical wall having its lower edgeintegrally secured to the lower edge of said cylindrical wall with theupper edge of said conical wall terminating substantially above theupper edge of said cylindrical wall, said cylindrical wall and saidconical wall forming a sump for oiL therebetween, wall means overlyingsaid conical wall vertically spaced thereabove and integrally secured tosaid cylindrical wall for preventing the escape of oil from saidapparatus and means forming part of said last-named wall means forpermitting the escape of gas from said apparatus.
 2. An apparatus asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the wall means for retaining oil within saidapparatus includes an upper conical wall having its lower edge securedto said cylindrical wall and having an open top, a valve plate, meansmounting said valve plate on said upper conical wall for horizontalsliding movement to a position closing the open top of said upperconical wall.
 3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein a hydraulicram mounted on said upper conical wall is provided for sliding the valveplate from open position to closed position.
 4. A device as claimed inclaim 2, wherein baffle means are provided within said apparatus betweensaid lower conical wall and said upper conical wall for dissipating theforce of an oil spout.
 5. The device as claimed in claim 4, wherein thebaffle means for dissipating the force of an oil spout comprises anintermediate conical wall having an open top and a screen valve plateslidably mounted thereon to move to a position overlying said open top.6. The device as claimed in claim 5, including a hydraulic ram formoving said screen valve plate into a position overlying the opening insaid conical wall.
 7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein themeans for preventing the escape of oil from said apparatus includes adome-shaped top wall having its lower edge integrally secured to the topof said cylindrical wall.
 8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7, whereinobservation windows are mounted in said dome-shaped top wall forobserving the interior of said apparatus.
 9. An apparatus as claimed inclaim 7, wherein means are provided on said dome-shaped top wall forlifting said apparatus and supporting said apparatus in operativeposition.